TOXTETH CHILD SEX ABUSER THOMAS BORROWS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON

In a case that has shocked the community of Toxteth, Thomas Borrows, a 65-year-old church warden, was sentenced to eight years behind bars for a prolonged history of sexually abusing three young girls over a span of 24 years. The heinous crimes, which spanned from the mid-1980s to this year, involved systematic exploitation of vulnerable children, beginning when they were as young as 11 years old.

Judge Robert Warnock delivered the sentence at Liverpool Crown Court, condemning Borrows for his actions. The judge stated, “What you did was to rob those children of their innocence and deprive them of a happy childhood,” emphasizing the profound harm caused by the defendant’s misconduct. Recognizing the severity and ongoing risk posed by Borrows, the judge also imposed a four-year extended licence, reflecting concerns about the potential for further offences.

The court heard that Borrows, who was employed at St Margaret’s Church in Toxteth, had targeted his victims from a young age. The crimes only came to light in May of this year, when the aunt of two of the victims confided in their mother about the inappropriate behaviour. This revelation prompted a police investigation that uncovered the extent of Borrows’ abuse.

Prosecutor Robert Jones detailed how the eldest girl had been systematically sexually abused by Borrows, leading the “horrified” aunt to contact law enforcement authorities. During police interviews, the teenager provided detailed accounts of the abuse she endured. Her younger sister was also interviewed and confirmed that she had been similarly victimized by Borrows.

Further inquiries revealed that Borrows had previously molested another girl when she was between 13 and 15 years old, indicating a pattern of predatory behaviour. The court was told that all victims were between 11 and 13 years old when the abuse began, and that Borrows’ conduct escalated over time, with attempts to engage in sexual intercourse.

Initially, Borrows denied the allegations during police interviews, but he later made full admissions of guilt. He pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including indecent assault, assault by penetration, and sexual activity with a child, covering offences from 1985 up to this year. At his last court appearance, Borrows had signed an interim Sex Offenders Register order and was released on bail with the condition that he not work at his Toxteth church.

However, the defendant breached his bail conditions by relocating without informing the authorities. As a result, Judge Warnock ordered Borrows to be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life and issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to restrict his future activities.

Defence lawyer Michael Wolff stated that Borrows, who has no previous convictions, would find imprisonment particularly challenging. He also highlighted that Borrows had admitted guilt early on and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.